A Bubble-icious New Year

Tonight's a biggie for champagne drinkers, but burlesque performers from Lili St. Cyr to Dita Von Teese make a splash with bubbles year round so here's to a very sparkling new year.

Video of the Week

A little something to get you in the holiday spirit.

Update: Something funny seems to be going on with embedded YouTube videos. So, while we work it out here's the direct link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=nnyHHRuLfCE

The Holidays Unwrapped: Take Two

It should come as no surprise that The Candy Pitch thinks reading is sexy. So in our second installment of holiday gifts that keep things bumpin' we offer a hot list for book lovers.

In last week's Candy Gram, Veronica Lashe suggested Mae West: It Ain't No Sin. And Scratch keeps The Best Burlesque Sketches on his nightstand.

Rachel Shteir's Striptease: The Untold History of the Girlie Show is a must for anyone interested in the history of the tease. As The Washington Post raved, "Shteir's book provides a record of the golden age of American striptease, and she gives a persuasive account of its democratic verve and feminist appeal."

With a focus on burlesque's reemergence and fantastic pictures, Michelle Baldwin's Burlesque and the New Bump-N-Grind is a great companion to Shteir's history.

To make your coffee table sizzle, try Dita Von Teese's Burlesque and the Art of the Teese or Alberto Vargas: Works from the Max Vargas Collection.

And, of course, there's Gilded Lili, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which said "this swift, engaging biography ... is sure to satisfy."

All in all, there are plenty of options to put a little sizzle in the season.

All The News That's Fit To Strip

Leonard Nimoy chats with Salon about The Full Body Project, which features the Fat-Bottom Review. Of the San Francisco-based burlesque troupe, Nimoy said:

It made it very easy for them to be photographed. They're comfortable with their bodies and they are performers, so once I gave them some direction, they were able to get to it very comfortably. We had a terrific time. There was music playing, there was dancing. They were joyous, and they were comfortable. They're a terrific bunch of people.

In other news ...

Prince William and Prince Harry got Wau'd.

C’est Duckie! brings its "sexually explicit, proudly exploitative or openly offensive" to New York.

Carmen Electra takes it off in two new Aerobic Striptease videos.

For Minneapolis readers, tune in to the Lori & Julia show this Friday. I'll be chatting about Minneapolis-born Lili St. Cyr.

The Candy Gram: Veronica Lashe

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to Veronica Lashe, a Syren of the South.

What is your hometown?
Atlanta, GA

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
I have been performing burlesque for about 4 years, but I've been on stage since I was very young and even went to a performing arts high school for Musical Theater, so it's always just been a part of who I am.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
Eight pairs that I use on stage for current numbers, but there are probably close to 20 additional pairs at my house since we make and sell them at Syrens of the South shows.

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
My super special remix of God Save the Queen that DJ Aesthetic made me. I Get What I Want for my balloon act and probably American Woman by The Guess Who just because it was my first solo with tassel twirling and is covered in fringe.

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
Lipstick, corset, and fishnets.

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
My mom, she's helped me with costumes, helped me flush out ideas for numbers and has been extremely supportive in all of my creative endeavors!

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Though I am a huge fan of Tempest Storm, I'm going to have to say Jo Boobs. She's been a wonderful inspiration and always has time to answer all of my very silly questions.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
My leopard print corset. It was my first steel boned corset and 10 years later it still holds a special place in my heart.

What's the last movie you saw?
Before Night Falls -- great flick and has Johnny Depp in drag.

What's on your must-see-TV list?
Heroes, Dexter and Project Runway.

What book is on your nightstand?
Mae West: It Ain't No Sin

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
I've always wanted to go to Prague. There are some churches there I'd love to visit.

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
Well, since I'm addicted to Heroes, it's that much harder to choose. Probably Muscle Mimic, it would make choreography that much easier.

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams:Amber Ray, Beatrix von Bourbon, Angie Pontani, Tanya Cheex, Bloody Belle, Clams Casino, Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini, Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.

Video of the Week

Here's a Dita-licious video to heat up your week.

The Holidays Unwrapped

Making your list and checking it twice? There are lots of burlesque-y gifts that keep the holidays bumping and grinding.

Forget reindeer games and check out Dr. Sketchy's Official Rainy Day Coloring Book, which features 11 paper dolls, nine colouring book pages, three word puzzles, one board game and a whole lot more.

You're favorite performer will love new pasties, corsets or feathers.

Set the mood this holiday with Tramp Lamps and saucy sheet sets.

Enjoy classic striptease performances from Something Weird Video.

Still looking for stocking stuffers and sinfully fun gifts for the fabulously naughty on your list? Check back with The Candy Pitch for more suggestions.

All The News That's Fit To Strip

As Variety points out, "nothing says Christmas like suicide, drag queens and nudity." The reason for the saucy season:

"People want something unusual and immediate," says David Foster, whose Foster Entertainment Group is helping produce everything from "Kiki and Herb" to "C'est Duckie," an "interactive nightclub performance experience" in which patrons select individualized acts from a menu. "They want to see a live performance that can't be replicated on film."

In other news ...

If Leyla Rose, left, is any indication Scotland prefers a naughty holiday season as well.

L.A.'s newest ballerina, Melissa Barak, shimmys and bumps through the world of burlesque.

Sarah Hartshorne, who was eliminated from America's Next Top Model, returns to the Boston Babydolls. This Saturday she'll be performing with the troupe as Vita Lightly in the show Brrrrlesque.

The Chico Cabaret fills the holidays with "nearly naked elves and spiked eggnog."

The Candy Gram: Amber Ray

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to New York's Amber Ray.

What is your hometown?
Milwaukee, Wi

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
In the naivete of my late teens I was one of those who thought strip clubs were places where women with fishnets, furs, big wigs and rhinestones, ruled. I started stripping when I was 18. I was always doing burlesque in strip clubs until I found my people, my community, my family in NYC.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
At least 15

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
Thinking of Baby - Elmer Bernstein
Talk Show Host - Radiohead
Green Onions - Count Basie

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
Red lipstick, black liquid eyeliner and, OF COURSE, a fabulously layered costume.

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
This all came so natural to me. I just knew what I wanted to make myself into. I guess MTV, Madonna, the whole 80s POP phenomenon really got me going.

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Well Dixie, for her wild performances and keeping the Art of Burlesque Alive in History and Blaze Starr for her generally fabulous package. I love performers for different reasons. Cathrine Dlish will always be one of my favorites. She Oozes and her moves and looks are absolutely intoxicating.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
My Peacock Costume-Corsets!!!

What's the last movie you saw?
A Dirty Shame and The Life Aquatic - both in one night, Both absolutely FANTASTIC!

What's on your must-see-TV list?
Desperate Housewives
Ugly Betty
Pushing Daisies

What book is on your nightstand?
The Boy Who Fell in Love with the Moon by Tom Spanbauer

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
Gay Paree, OF COURSE! I have a whole life waiting for me there!!!

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
Telekenesis, so I could move all kinds of people and things with my mind.

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams:Beatrix von Bourbon,
Angie Pontani, Tanya Cheex, Bloody Belle, Clams Casino, Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini,Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.

Bachelor-mania

Have you snagged your copy of Bachelor Pad Magazine yet? The second issue came out this week and gives a big, wet kiss to burlesque. Kitten von Mew from the UK is purr-fect as the covergirl and centerfold. And New York's Gigi La Femme, Baltimore's Maria Bella and Lola Bel Aire from Lili's Burlesque Revue in Minnesota all shimmy through the pages of the magazine.

Video of the Week

Spend Wednesday with a classic -- Yvonne Marthay.

The Lili Garden

Some still refer to Montreal as the city that Lili built. The Gazette explains why in this piece on Gilded Lili.

All The News That's Fit To Strip

Celebrate the miracle of Chanukah through the "bawdy bosom of burlesque." Jonny Porkpie, Trixie Minx, Fleur de Tease and other burly mavens perform the Menorah Horah this Wednesday at the Slipper Room in New York. As Alyssa Abrahamson, who will dance as Minnie Tonka, said, “It’s cheap. It’s celebratory. It’s a fun and funky way to celebrate Chanukah.”

In other news ...

Trixie Minx chats about why New Orleans inspires folks to get naked, the true meaning of the holidays and more.

A Bur-Less-Q Nutcracker puts a tawdry spin on the classic and "sends its audience out into the night with ho ho ho holiday hubba-hubba."

Toronto strip clubs are struggling.

The Spice Girls take cues from burlesque for their reunion concert.

The Candy Gram: Beatrix Von Bourbon

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to London's Beatrix Von Bourbon.

What is your hometown?
London, UK.

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
I tell people that I entered the world of burlesque through the back door. For me it wasn't as simple as having admired the performers of old for years and always aspiring to be one.

I had been looking at vehicles to express my sexuality and felt that amidst all the internet-based soft-core pornography and the darker sexualities that swamp the UK media (pedophilia, dogging...) something was missing. At the same time, I was reading about past subcultures, about punk, about psychobilly, about rockabilly, about the Las Vegas Grind Festival, and then I stumbled upon burlesque. The more I learned about American burlesque, and later learned about British burlesque, the more the art-form appealed to me.

I like how burlesque sits within contemporary culture, how it goes against the grain of the beauty myth - it embraces all bodies regardless of shape or race, and personalities from coy cheesecake to vivacious sex-kitten. It introduces playfulness and honesty to the somewhat seedy conceptions of sexuality that dominate today.

I've been performing burlesque for just over a year and a half now.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
One pair for each act I have (10), plus three spare pairs and a couple of odd ones. I'm not really sure why I hang on to odd pasties.

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
A La Carte - James Holloway
Sex Spider - Gogol Bordello
Any live backing music provided by the wonderful Palookaville Burlesque Orchestra.

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
Spare stockings
Tit tape (I've used it to temporarily fix feather fans before!)
Glitter, Glitter, Glitter!

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
Relatively early on in my burlesque career I performed at a fetish club alongside Polish-based art group Suka Off. Although their work doesn't really fall into the burlesque bracket, they blew me away, offering a professional and creative level to aspire to.And to this day every burlesque performer I work with offers me a new trick of the trade.

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Evangeline, the Oyster Girl

What is your favorite item of clothing?
My killer red heels

What's the last movie you saw?
Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas

What's on your must-see-TV list?
Oh no, here's where it gets embarrassing. I watch a lot of American sitcoms and dramas that aren't aired in the UK. Things like Gilmore Girls, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Dead Like Me. I'm also a sucker for silly cartoons full of fart jokes; Robot Chicken and The Brak Show to name just two. I was also addicted to the Aussie soap Neighbours until I moved house and now don't have a powerful enough aerial to watch TV.

What book is on your nightstand?
The Girls by Lori Lansen and Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
New York. Without a doubt.

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
I'd quite like telekinesis, so I could multi-task - tidy my flat while I bring my correspondence up to date!

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Angie Pontani, Tanya Cheex, Clams Casino, Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini,Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.

A Red Hot Fundraiser

If you're in the Washington, DC area swing by Urbana tonight. The Kimpton Hotels are celebrating World AIDS Day early with a cocktail party to benefit the Whitman-Walker Clinic at Urbana. Admission to Red Hot Night is $10, which includes two special red cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction. I will be signing copies of Gilded Lili and $1 from every book sold goes to the Whitman-Walker Clinic. All proceeds from the cover charge, auction and additional cocktails also go to Whitman-Walker. The doors open at 6 p.m. See you there!

Video of the Week

Say hello to Miss Exotic World 2007, Immodesty Blaize.

Barack Obama Strips

Not really, but have you noticed how journalists love to compare politics to burlesque and political maneuverings to striptease? That thought brings us to this week's non sequitur. If you're interested in the interaction between politics and technology, check out my friend Garrett Graff's new book The First Campaign. You'll learn all about how Facebook, blogs and YouTube are, wait for it, stripping the election down from what politicians have always done and setting a new political stage.

All The News That's Fit To Strip

Dita Von Teese spent Thanksgiving as a bird of paradise for Erotica, a three-day adult lifestyle festival in London. Before the event she told one reporter:

"I'm sure some people think I've just brought fluffy, fancypants striptease back into fashion. But I hope I've inspired some people to embrace glamour and to see a different kind of sensuality. I'm the opposite of the tanned, blonde bikini babe."

In other news ...

Do you want to compete in the Jockey Wars?

Jo posts photos from Margaret Cho's Sensuous Woman and explains the term ecdysiast.

I spoke with Rick Klaw about Gilded Lili for Monsters and Critics.

Black Friday Burlesque

Sure, it's shameless, but remember you could avoid all of this if you just gave everyone Gilded Lili for the holidays.

The Candy Gram will return next Friday.

Video of the Week

Forget the Macy's Day Parade, burly-q does balloons right.

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art Show

For the last two years, Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School has been melding art and burlesque with dancers posing for illustrators, painters and photographers from around the world. Now, the school is really bumpin' with its very first art show.

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art Show opens November 27th at Rapture in New York. With a nod to its burly-q roots, the opening will feature costumed burlesque queens Lady Lovely, Amber Ray and Gal Friday, and live, obscene portraits by Amanda Pearson. Attendees will also vote on their favorite anti-artist, with the three crowd favorites winning cash and prizes. Admission is free. The art will hang through December 20.

All The News That's Fit To Strip

While hosting a burlesque performance in Montreal, Carmen Electra told the Globe and Mail that Americans have a split personality when it comes to sex. Our healthy libido is mixed with a seriously puritanical streak, giving us both icons like Madonna and sexual scandals involving conservative senators.

"At the end of the day, we all have wants and desires and fantasies," says Electra. "Some may be deeper than others. When you're in entertainment you have more freedom to express your sexuality and your fantasies. Political people are a bit different - they often have to be a certain way, and if they're not in reality, it's more shocking."

In other news ...

Shameless plug: Publishers Weekly calls Gilded Lili a "swift, engaging biography" and the Austin Chronicle declares it's "well-researched and superbly written."

A reporter gives the S Factor striptease class a twirl.

A new online striptease proves to be spam.

Frederick Teeses The Holidays

I hate leapfrogging one holiday for another, but I can't be the first person Dita Von Teese inspired to break the rules. So, with apologies to Thanksgiving and the promise that we'll give Turkey Day its due ...

Dita Von Teese is making the holidays merry and bright for Frederick's of Hollywood, which features the burlesque queen on its cover and as the centerpiece of a multimedia "Pin-Up Parade" holiday campaign. The campaign includes the "12 Days of Dita" showcase on the Frederick's Web site, where Dita models her sexiest picks. Forget naughty or nice. This holiday, even Santa's gonna be naughty.

Photo courtesy of Frederick's of Hollywood via The Lingerie Post.

Video of the Week

All The News That's Fit To Strip

Boston Babydoll member and former America's Next Top Model Sarah Hartshorne told Bostonist how the burlesque troupe gave her a boost:

Being a Boston Babydoll certainly boosted my confidence and made me aware of my body, which helped at photo shoots. I was also very comfortable changing in front of people or wearing skimpy outfits, which helped at challenges. Also, dancing of any kind is very similar to modeling, and knowing how to move my body helped in taking good pictures.

After Sarah got bumped from the show, the Boston Babydolls put the smackdown on Tyra.

In other news ...

The Vixen chats with Miss Seska Lee and Miss Sugarpuss.

Burlesque is all the rage on Gossip Girl. And Jo has the pictures.

The Crazy Girls joined Kylie Minogue for her TV comeback.

Irving Klaw, who filmed movies with Lili St. Cyr, Tempest Storm and others, would have celebrated his 97th birthday on Friday.

The Fashion Police at OSU don't know burlesque. For real burlesque-inspired fashions try this, this or this.

Candy Gram: Angie Pontani

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to Angie Pontani, who performs solo and as one of The World Famous Pontani Sisters.

What is your hometown?
I was born in Trenton, NJ, but I cut my teeth in Brooklyn, where I have been since I was a teenager.

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
13 years. I started as a chorus girl in the Dutch Weismann Follies. One of the city's first resurgence shows that was truly underground. It was held in the producers apartment, which he literally turned into a speakeasy! I wasn't even old enough to enter a bar through the front door, yet I was shaking it three nights a week in this amazing, illegal show. By the end of my run with the show, which was about four years, I was a featured solo act. It was an amazing experience and I have been working in burlesque ever since.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
Probably about 20 or so, though only a dozen are in serious rotation.

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
36-22-36 by Bobby Bland, it's my favorite act!
Take Me out to the Ball Game - a special King Curtis remake. I love baseball and I do a Mets baseball themed act to this song, I adore it!
La Vie En Rose. I do a very traditional sheer dress pointe dance to this and the song and Edith Piaf's voice is just so lovely I get lost in it.

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
snaps
flash tape
red wine

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
Elvis, he wasn't exactly a burlesque dancer in the traditional sense but his inclination to do everything in such an over the top way really moves me. Everything from his jump suits, dance moves, every day clothes, cars, personal style, music (especially the '70s stuff), is just so over the top, there is such attention to every detail. Through those things you can just see how passionate he was about his music, life and performance. I love that and find it wildly inspiring, especially because he was such an innovator of style. Graceland itself is like a set, it couldn't be more perfect in my eyes.

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Blaze Starr, love-love-love her. She was an amazing performer, lived an amazing life and is just so full of sass. She gave me permission to recreate her smoking couch act a few years ago in Las Vegas and I was honored. I was sweating rhinestones waiting for her response. She is an original wild girl, gorgeous and full of class and sass. That is a tough mixture that doesn't happen a lot and I admire it.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
Recently I was in Australia where I discovered Wheels and Dollbaby, an amazing clothier. My life will never be the same! My current fave is a velvet black pencil skirt with covered buttons down the front accompanied by a sheer pink silk blouse. I can't stop wearing it, I vacuumed in it yesterday.

What’s the last movie you saw?
I don't get to the movies much, in fact I can't even remember the last time I went. I think the last movie I saw must have been the last Rocky. My sister lent it to me on a rainy Sunday & I thought it was good! He gives his son this fabulous speech about how being tough and being a winner isn't about actually winning every time. It's really about having the tenacity to just keep getting back up and not stopping and that's real courage and spirit and general awesomeness. That's being scrappy & Rocky-like.

What’s on your must-see-TV list?
I'm not a big TV girl, but I do have the western channel. They run classic westerns constantly. I need to see an episode of Gun Smoke at least once a week, I love Miss Kitty on Gun Smoke.

What book is on your nightstand?
Gone With The Wind and The Biography of Buffalo Bill, talk about show biz, he was the king!

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
New Mexico. I'm super lucky that I get to travel so much with work. I've been all over the world and country and have seen some fabulous places, but it's funny because the only place I have actually ever wanted to go to was New Mexico and I've never been! Growing up I was obsessed with it. I even subscribed to New Mexico magazine. It seems like it would really be an amazing place, plus I love chilies and they grow the best!

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
I think I would love to be able to disappear, become invisible. It would be fabulous to be able to read minds or throw fire balls, but you can really work the invisible thing. Not only would that power enable you to leave sticky situations on a whim, but you can multi-task by spying, moving things around, torturing your friends, etc... But, only for the good of all humanity though!

Photo courtesy of Don Spiro

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Tanya Cheex, Clams Casino, Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini,Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.

Undie Where?

Torontoist took a peek at a vintage burlesque ad. As most things do these days, that sparked a thought about Lili and the ads for her lingerie shop. Here's an excerpt from Gilded Lili:

Always interested in fashion, Lili also opened up a mail-order lingerie business and a Hollywood boutique known as The Undie World of Lili St. Cyr. The catalog, which used both exaggerated illustrations of Lili and her glamour shots, promised that women would “be well dressed for that most delightful sport of all . . . [in styles] created to meet an unprecedented demand for the bold . . . the delicious . . . the naughty!” The sexy creations included bikini briefs, filmy negligees, lacy G-strings, and sparkly pasties, with names like Scantie Panties, Folies Bergere, Coy Miss, Lili’s Love, Lolita, and Fanny Hill.

Descriptions played up Lili’s connection to the lingerie. The ads divulged that in her personal appearances she wore the Illusion, a robe made of “yards and yards of sheerest Nylon--draped to reveal and conceal.” And they trumpeted the notion that “only Lili St. Cyr could design such a fabulous Nylon Lace dance set” as Lili’s Love, a halter bra and bikini. The lingerie boutique, which sold the same items as Lili’s mail order business, boomed and remained a Hollywood hot spot for over twenty years, attracting many designers and celebrities, including pop icon Madonna.

Want to see more of the catalog pages and ads? Kara Mae features a great gallery of them.

Video of the Week

Last week burlesque got animated on The Candy Pitch. So today we dish up one more burly-toon.

I Spy

With Dita Von Teese rumored to be playing Mata Hari in an upcoming film on the World War I spy, I thought we'd take a look at a few photos of the exotic dancer and double agent.

All The News That's Fit To Strip

Greta Garbo. Doris Day. Zsa Zsa Gabor. And now, Dita Von Teese. Rumor has it that the burlesque queen is the latest actress to take on the role of Mata Hari, the femme fatale who was executed after being exposed as a double agent during World War I.

"Who the hell is Lili St. Cyr?" I answer the question for USA Weekend.

Jo Boobs talks to Lady Monster about the Full Body Project and interviews a burlesque memorabilia collector.

The Iron Matrons rotate around a pole.

The Candy Gram: Tanya Cheex

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to Toronto's Tanya Cheex, who performs with Skin Tight Outta Sight.

What is your hometown?
Originally Halifax, Nova Scotia but the city was too small at the time to contain my ambitions. I ran away to Toronto to become a stripper, a dominatrix and a retail slut till I realized my true calling.

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
Since I was a little girl. I was always attracted to all the glamorous trappings; boas, gloves, rhinestones. I coloured in a beauty mark at age four and my mom had to scrub it off! I started Skin Tight Outta Sight 10 years ago when I realized could find a live audience for my spectacles.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
I have no idea! I've seen one stuck to my cat once! I make Swarovski ones. My favorites are leopard print with over 2 gross each.

What are your three favourite songs to perform to?
Minnie The Moocher by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend by Marilyn Monroe and Number of The Beast by Iron Maiden

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
Safety pins, rhinestones and a brave smile

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
My grandmother. She was always done up to the nines. I have a vivid memory of her in a turban, lounge pyjamas, red heels and Cameo Menthol's. However, in practice, I'm anti-smoking but why does it have to look so film noir cool?

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Tura Satana for her combination of tough and tenderness. Dixie Evans's "Casting Couch" routine always slays me and, of course, for carrying the torch for us all past and present.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
My pink and black patent Agent Provocateur peep toe stilettos and the matching corset costume by Lovesick Corrective Apparel.

What's the last movie you saw?
Super Bad. So super funny, your soda pop will shoot out your nose.

What's on your must-see-TV list?
Shark Week on Discovery Channel. Where can I sign up to go-go dance in a shark cage?

What book is on your nightstand?
Freak Unique by Dead or Alive's Pete Burns and always a few Marilyn Monroe bios.

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
I just spent a month touring across Canada with camping in between. I slept under the stars on the beach in Tofino, BC, got up, put the eyelashes on and performed in Victoria. That was the ideal vacation for me. So next year I'd like to tour/vacation Europe. No rest for the wicked!

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
To have my clothes fly off effortlessly at will. It would be a great gimmick and nothing would get caught in my fishnets ever again!

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Bloody Belle, Clams Casino, Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini,Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.

Burly-toons

Last week, I marveled at an animated striptease. Laura pointed out that burlesque and animation have been bumpin' together for a while. She's right, of course. From Red Hot Riding Hood to Bugs Bunny scenes, cartoons have had some great wolf-whistle, jaw-dropping, roll-the-tongue-out burlesque scenes. There's also some great, new striptease animation. Today, the Candy Pitch dishes up some burlesque 'toons.

Red Hot Riding Hood:

A more modern wolf 'toon:

Some animated boylesque:

Bruno Bozzetto melds animation and live-action:

Video of the Week

Happy Halloween!

All The News That's Fit To Strip

There's no Xzibit, but I am bedazzling book stores as I pimp my book. Actually, Jo Boobs is adding much of the dazzle as she's doing a great glove removal demo at my New York readings. If you're in the area and missed Monday's reading, head over to the Drama Book Shop Tuesday at 5 p.m. for Gilded Lili and Head Mistress Jo.

In other news ...

Bookgasm reviews Gilded Lili.

Margaret Cho's Sensuous Woman gets extended again.

Posh Spice tries pal Dita Von Teese's corset-training regime.

Things get saucy Down Under.

Burlesque dancer Amy Mathieson stars in film about a promiscuous bi-sexual's dream to become a glamorous show girl.

Celebrity-designed corsets raise money for The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation. And Dita's brings top dollar.

Who wears it better?

The secret to Dita's porcelain skin? Mineral powder.

The Candy Gram: Bloody Belle

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to Bloody Belle, the B-Nudie Queen.

What is your hometown?
Cleveland, OH (no, it doesn't "rock" and yes, the river did catch on fire; vote Kucinich!)

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
Well, I was choreographing little numbers for notable moments in my parents' lives, like returning home from grocery shopping or after-dinner wine-guzzling, from about age six. Favorite songs of the time were Words of Love sung by Mama Cass, Walk Like a Man, by The Four Seasons, and Copacabana by Barry Manilow. My little sister was in charge of lighting, which basically involved repeatedly turning the light switch on and off.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
In working condition? None. I bronze them like baby shoes after each performance.

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
The Final Countdown, Goldfinger, and Love Buzz.

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
Rubbery face (a la Carol Burnett), legs (apologies if I've offended any legless performers out there), and my all-natural, amateur breasts.

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
John Waters. Jim Henson is a close second. Unfortunately, they haven't directly influenced my "career" (which I place in quotation marks for a reason), but they've influenced my general aesthetic and moral compass.

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Favorite high-profile perfomer: Julie Atlas Muz;
Favorite Chicago performer (all so overlooked): Clare de Lune
Favorite legend: Blaze Starr

What is your favorite item of clothing?
Period underwear. The grannier, the better.

What's the last movie you saw?
Hannah Takes the Stairs - a new feature in the ridiculously dubbed "Mumblecore" genre. (Spoiler: Hannah doesn't take the stairs.)

What's on your must-see-TV list?
Um…I really hate to admit this, but America's Next Top Model.

What book is on your nightstand?
I have a few—I'm currently reading The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind by Chuck Barris, and Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi.

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
Over the edge of Niagara Falls in a barrel. Paradise!

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
I'd like to have the power of attaining anyone's language by frenching them, and then using said language to learn their jokes. Why? I'd feel better about getting quizzical looks from people after delivering punchlines in, like, Tagalog.

Photos by Ted D'Ottavio and Tod Seelie

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Scarlet Letter, Clams Casino, Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini,Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.

It's Bigger In Texas

The Texas Burlesque Festival premiered this past weekend. And it sounds like the Lone Star State really bumped it up a notch (yes, pun intended). Congrats to the winners:

Best Soloist - Cardinal Cyn
Best Ensemble - The Lollie Bombs
Most Original - Rouby Joule
Best Costume - Kitty Brown
Best Gender Bender - Shawngreelahtedah
Best Neo-Vaudeville and Miscellany - Schave and Riley
Best Emcee - Doryan and Adam
Best Dude in the Nude (Man Burlesque) - The Amazing Buffy West
Lone Stars & Garters Award (Chosen by the Audience)
Best in Show Saturday - The Southern Sirens
Best in Show Friday - Carousel Cabaret

Video of the Week

Who woulda thunk it? An animated burlesque routine.

In Full Bloom

It's been a week since Gilded Lili popped up on store shelves. So, with this shameless self-promotion alert, here's an update on all things Lili.

Readings:

For Washingtonians, I'll be at the Olsson's in Dupont Circle this Thursday at 7 p.m.

Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30, come visit me and Jo Boobs in New York. I'll be reading, answering questions and signing books. Jo, who runs the New York School of Burlesque, will do a glove-removal demonstration. Monday, you'll find me at the Barnes & Noble in the West Village at 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, I'll be at the Drama Book Shop at 5 p.m.

In case you missed it:

I chatted with Bob Edwards and WTOP about Lili, the burlesque scene in the Fifties and why it's important to know about Lili St. Cyr.

The book launch party caused quite a stir.

I dished on my favorite foods, got hot and heavy between the covers with Daily Candy and took a Naked Approach with Page Six.

All The News That's Fit To Strip

Current polled readers on the sexiest cinematic stripteases. Jamie Lee Curtis' twirl in True Lies came in first. The top ten teases:

1. Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies
2. Kim Basinger in 9½ Weeks
3. Salma Hayek in From Dusk Till Dawn
4. Elisha Cuthbert in The Girl Next Door
5. Natalie Portman in Closer
6. Demi Moore in Striptease
7. Rebecca Romijn in Femme Fatale
8. Jessica Alba in Sin City
9. Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert and Amanda Seyfried in Mean Girls
10. Mia Kirshner in Exotica

I can't believe Littel Miss Sunshine didn't make the cut.

Hundreds of photos from Buffalo's burlesque heyday went on display at the George Eastman House in Rochester, uncovering many of the performers from the 1950's and 1960's at Buffalo's Palace Theatre. Hear more about it.

Joey Bishop, a comedian who got his start in burlesque, died.

The NY Press says Margaret Cho’s The Sensuous Woman "is worth every hoot and catcall, not only for her zinger-filled standup, but for the freewheeling sexual demagoguery of the whole enterprise."

The Candy Gram: Scarlett Letter

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to California's Scarlett Letter.

What is your hometown?
Wells, NV. I'm currently in the greater Los Angeles Metroplitan area, because LA is much bigger than LA.

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
About 13 years. It started with a school paper and a lack of information, and turned into a cumalative outlet for many different aspects of my personality

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
10 and counting

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
Anything live, and whatever my newest routine is. Right now that is Love For Sale by Ella Fitzgerald.

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
Chopsticks, Stillettoes and glitter

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
My friend Monique Parent and the wonderful girls I work with now

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Lily Christine and Gypsy Rose Lee

What is your favorite item of clothing?
Stillettoe shoes

What's the last movie you saw?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and The Rocky Horror Picture Show for the umpteenth time

What's on your must-see-TV list?
Dr. Who, M.A.S.H. reruns and Doby Gillis if anyone will ever air it

What book is on your nightstand?
Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan, American Gods by Neil Gaiman and the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
Western Europe on a geneology quest

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
Spin straw into gold, I don't mind working for my money, I just wish that I could earn it a llittle faster, and that it was worth more on the market, because what money can't fix, it can buy me the time to fix.

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Clams Casino, Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini,Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.

Celebrating Gilded Lili

Unfortunately, I have yet to befriend Bill Clinton. Thankfully, I have plenty of really fabulous friends who helped me celebrate the launch of Gilded Lili on Tuesday. Here's a snippet of what Bethanne Patrick at Publishers Weekly had to say:

"However, the real treat came at 7, when Miss Kitty Victorian carefully descended the stairs in heels, coif a marvel of curls and twists, to perform. After all, what would a book party for a book about one of the most celebrated burlesque performers ever be without... a burlesque performer?"

And U.S. News & World Report whispered about the potential for political scandal.

UPDATE: More photos will be coming soon, but a very talented photographer friend of mine Stacey Vaeth sent the one to the left.

Video of the Week

Top Ten Reasons to Buy Gilded Lili

Today's the release of my biography on Lili St. Cyr, Gilded Lili: Lili St. Cyr and the Striptease Mystique. I know this crowd doesn't need much convincing, but in case you weren't sold here are the top ten reasons to buy Gilded Lili.

10. There are 15 pages of salacious pictures. That’s 15 less than Alan Greenspan’s new book, but you actually want to see Lili without clothes.

9. Marilyn Monroe -- who modeled herself after Lili -- has nothing on this woman’s story.

8. Mike Wallace called his interview with Lili one of the most interesting ones of his career.

7. Sports fans will learn how Lili is connected to a Stanley Cup winner.

6. A picture is worth a thousand words ... but this book has several that will leave you speechless.

5. The Dems in the crowd will love that Susan Sarandon blessed Lili.

4. For the Republicans, well, Ronald Reagan was caught watching her take a bubble bath.

3. Want to know why Lili wouldn’t come out from backstage to meet Humphrey Bogart?

2. Madonna dressed herself up in Lili's love.

1. Did I mention the pictures?

All The News That's Fit To Strip

Considering her bootylicious videos and hip-shaking moves it's no surprise that Beyonce is crazy for burlesque.

So is Jessica Simpson.

Margaret Cho loves burlesque because she "was able to see women who were not the norm that we see in movies, TV and magazines"

Variety reviews Cho's "giddy, gaudy" show.

Burlesque welcomes "Ripped, sweaty, gorgeous men who can dance rings around anyone taking to the go-go box."

Fleshbot points out this sexy music video striptease.

Smooches to eBooks, which called the Gilded Lili trailer "the most creative book teaser ever."

Interested in starting your own burlesque blog? Check out Ministry of Burlesque's new site.

The Candy Gram: Clams Casino

In our ongoing Q&A series --"The Candy Gram"-- we ask the same quirky questions of burlesque's various performers. If you want to be added to the mix, drop us a line at kellydinardo AT gmail DOT com. Today, say hello to New York's Clams Casino.

What is your hometown?
I'm originally from Columbus, Ohio, but I've been in NYC for 6 years.

How long have you been interested in burlesque/performing?
I've been into theater and dance since I was a kid and have a degree in Playwriting. I've been interested in burlesque since I saw a bathing suit spread with World Famous *BOB* in Bust Magazine when I was still in Ohio. I've been performing for 3 years now.

How many pairs of pasties do you own?
Hmmm. Active pairs? Probably 13 or 14, with a few pairs lost to wine baths/pie fights along the way.

What are your three favorite songs to perform to?
Fortuntely, I perform to three of my very favorite songs in the world:
Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N Roses
Freedom '90 by George Michael
Jump by Van Halen

What three items could you not live without as a performer?
Magna Tac, False Eyelashes and "Cherries in the Snow" Lipstick

Who had the biggest influence on your career?
I'm lucky to have gotten lots of love and support from my fellow performers, especially when I was just starting out...it's a long list but it starts with Jo Boobs, World Famous *BOB*, Little Brooklyn & Creamy Stevens.

Who is your favorite burly queen?
Another hard question...I'm gonna say Dirty Martini, Tigger! and Satan's Angel...but really there are too many to mention.

What is your favorite item of clothing?
My Paradise City Panties

What's the last movie you saw?
Superbad I have 3 brothers, so I'm a big fan of frat boy humor. Sad, but true.

What's on your must-see-TV list?
I'm a huge fan of old game shows, especially What's My Line?, Three's Company and Flight of the Conchords.

What book is on your nightstand?
A stack of old New Yorkers, a book about the culture of marketing and I'm trying out Wuthering Heights for the first time.

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go?
A road trip in a RV (or a Mustang convertible) with my husband and best friends driving around the country.

If you could have any superpower, which one would you want? Why?
Teleportation, because I hate to fly, but I love Vegas!

Satisfy your appetite for more Candy Grams: Trixie Little, Michelle L'Amour, Margaret Cho, Miss Dirty Martini,Princess Farhana, Miss Delirium Tremens, Paris Green, Jo Boobs, Jack Midnight, Heidi Von Haught, Diamond Minx, The Titillation Twins, Scratch, Creamy Stevens and Gina Louise.

Tease-O-Rama Redux

If you missed Tease-O-Rama this year, you'll want to check out these reports. It's almost -- just almost -- as good as having witnessed the twirling tassels, shimmying hips and bumpin' dance moves in person.

Catherine D'Lish makes a splash with her props.

Sweet Sassafras was partial to Michelle L'Amour's fan dance, the dirty cheerleading of the Cock T's and Miss Delerium Tremens routine to Tom Waits’ Temptation.

Kitten DeVille is a whirling dervish of striptease.

Video of the Week

Our Metrocurean pal sent us Britney Spears new striptease-heavy music video. Brit's been borrowing from burlesque ever since she shed her school girl look. We think she should go back to taking cues from another pop singer who snags burlesque and striptease elements for her videos. We'll let you be the judge with several videos to compare.